Long Queues Outside Apple Stores in Bengaluru as iPhone 17 Series Goes on Sale
Thousands of tech fans lined up outside Apple stores in Bengaluru and Mumbai today as the sale of Apple’s new iPhone 17 series officially began in India. Among the areas seeing the biggest crowds were Phoenix Mall of Asia in Bengaluru and the Apple flagship store in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai, where eager buyers waited for hours.
The iPhone 17 series—including the standard model, Pro Max, and the new iPhone Air—alongside Apple Watch Series 11, Watch SE3, Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods 3, were among the items on display. Fans gathered outside stores from early morning, some even overnight, checking out the new features and preparing to make their purchases.
In Mumbai, many waited since dawn to be among the first to enter. One customer, who travelled from Ahmedabad, claimed to have been in line since 5 a.m., complaining that weak queue management resulted in chaos at the entrance. Others expressed frustration at lack of security control, saying people cut in line and that crowd discipline was poorly enforced.
At the Bengaluru location, long lines were visible well before store opening hours. Many in the queue said they had been following Apple’s recent product announcements closely and were particularly excited about the iPhone 17 because of its upgraded camera, new display features, and comparisons with earlier models.
Several buyers spoke of mixed emotions: excitement about owning the latest device, but concern over whether they would manage to secure one given the overwhelming demand. One buyer, Gauri Shankar, said this was their first time waiting outside an Apple store, adding they’re already looking forward to the next series.
The purchase frenzy wasn’t confined to these cities. Similar scenes played out in New Delhi’s Saket mall, where Apple’s store also saw customers camped out overnight to ensure a spot at the front of the line.
Today’s activity reflects strong demand for the iPhone 17 lineup—and not just from loyal Apple customers. Shifts in design and features for the standard iPhone version appear to be drawing in consumers who might have earlier considered only Pro variants.
Local authorities and Apple store security teams have been pulled into managing large crowds and ensuring customer safety. As the launch day progresses, it remains to be seen how well the logistics hold up under pressure.
